Title: Crimson &
Cream
Author: C.M. Skiera
Series: The Oxbow Kingdom Trilogy (#1)
Genre: Epic Fantasy (YA/Swords & Sorcery/Coming-of-Age)
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: July 1 2014 (Second Edition)
Edition/Formats Available In: eBook (Digital)
Blurb/Synopsis:
Hounded by watchmen, trolls, goblins, and a relentless
bounty hunter, thirteen-year-old Jetsam dreams of the day he’ll no longer have
to run for his life. A victim of
circumstance burdened with an interminable unlucky streak, each sunrise ushers
in more difficulty for the resilient adolescent. An avalanche of life-changing events forces
him to boldly decide his future.
In the mountain city of Dwim-Halloe, Eidryn and Elvar were
born twins to teachers at the city’s revered School of Sorcery. When the new
king outlawed magic, the boys’ parents were murdered. Their deaths forfeited
the siblings' magical birthright and made them homeless fugitives.
Rescued by an orphan gang, the water-logged twins were
nicknamed Flotsam and Jetsam. To survive as outcasts, the orphans scavenge and
pilfer nightly. Their last risky foray sent them fleeing into an unfamiliar
cavern. Now the brothers are lost deep underground where they encounter a
strange beast that will change their lives forever and begin a harrowing
journey for their ultimate survival.
Crimson & Cream recounts Jetsam’s adventurous tale of
flight and discovery as the fugitive orphan unravels the tangled mysteries his
tortured past while securing his tenuous future.
Book Links
Author Information
C.M. Skiera grew up in Michigan and now lives in California
with his wife and two rescue Chihuahuas. He works as a professional
environmental engineer to pay the bills and has been writing since the mid
1990s. Crimson & Cream is his debut epic fantasy novel. He started writing
Crimson & Cream in 1999, and after lots of twists and turns, 13 drafts,
plenty of rejections, the arrival of the 21st Century and the advent of online
self-publishing, the ebook is finally here. C.M. Skiera is currently finalizing
Mirrors & Mist, book two of The Oxbow Kingdom Trilogy. An avid reader, C.M.
Skiera enjoys a compelling story, regardless of genre, though speculative
fiction novels are some of his favorites.
Author Links
Excerpt
“Jetsam!” his twin brother Flotsam whispered. “Get down!
We shouldn’t be here.” Jetsam’s
ragged pant leg tightened from his brother’s pull. The second-hand breeches were ill-fitting for
the growing youth. Jetsam’s trousers,
and his wrinkled tunic, were swiped from a peasant’s clothesline. With a grunt, Jetsam jerked his leg free of
his brother’s grasp.
Jetsam hung from the stone wall, transfixed on a maiden
strolling in the garden below him. With
the tip of his nose resting on the ashlar, his aching fingers clung to the
bulwark’s lip. Jetsam’s nostrils flared
at the fragrances rising in the warm night air.
The toes of his shoddy boots wedged into the cracks between the blocks.
Upon first glimpse, Jetsam noticed the girl’s eyes. Her crystalline orbs drew him in, mesmerizing
Jetsam. Sallow moonlight danced in her
locks, shimmering like waves. Willowy
and angelic, the somber lass displayed a regal air. She meandered the flagstone path amidst
flowers and shrubs, drifting like a leaf on the wind. Surrounded by low hedges, she moved out of
earshot.
“Jet-sssam,” Flotsam hissed again. “Stick to the alleys. This is too dangerous!” he whispered. “Can’t believe you sodding talked me into
this.”
Jetsam snorted. Only
had to pester you about it every day for weeks, he thought. If only you’d relax, then we could enjoy our
birthday! Jetsam was amazed he convinced
his brother to go this far. For months
he envisioned this special adventure for their special day, but convincing his
cautious twin was another hurdle.
Swimming the moat was hazard enough, but creeping inside the castle
through a narrow drainage chute was risky indeed. Must be the full moon, he rationalized.
“Sheer lunacy, sneaking into the Citadel—birthday or not,”
the pragmatic Flotsam warned, whispering his brother’s thoughts while
maintaining his sense of reason. “Turn
back while we can.”
Despite the plea, Jetsam didn’t budge. Logic fell on deaf ears. Captivated by the lass, Jetsam ignored his
twin’s urging.
“Seem rather fond of that wall,” Flotsam teased. “Find a soft spot?”
“Always the jester,” Jetsam replied with a smirk. “Come have a look,” he whispered.
Visibly flustered, Flotsam scaled the rough surface
alongside his brother. Inside the yard,
trees rustled in the midnight breeze while their branches shaded flowers and
bushes from the lunar radiance.
“Let’s go inside!” goaded Jetsam, blue eyes flashing with
enthusiasm. He glanced at Flotsam’s
stern face. Bet he’s hungry, Jetsam
connived. “Look at those apples!” Jetsam
exclaimed in a high whisper. “Can you
imagine eating one? Fresh and juicy—not
some chewed-up core. Fill our sacks and
not a one’ll be missed.” The trick to
getting his brother over the wall was to convince him of the garden’s bounty. A meeting with the mysterious girl would be
Jetsam’s secret birthday present.
“You’re not looking at apples,” Flotsam retorted, “and
she’ll holler for the stinkin’ guard.
We’ve done just fine filchin’ in town.
Always enough for both of us, and then some.”
